Panola College
August 27, 2019 - The Texas Educational Theatre Association, Inc. has announced Karen King as the recipient of the 2019 Founders Award. King came to Panola College in 2013 as professor of drama and director of the theatre department.
TETA will present her award during Theatrefest 2019, Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 26-29 in Dallas.
King is an active member of TETA, the Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials organization, and the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. She also works closely with the University Interscholastic League and hosts one-act play contests at Panola College each year. She is house manager for the 4A-6A UIL OAP State Meet. She has also served as an adjudicator for the State Film Festival. King edits Texas Theatre Notes, and currently serves as communications officer for the Two-Year Colleges Focus Group at ATHE.
The Houston native graduated from Cy-Fair High School, where she studied under Elizabeth R. Hedges, long-time Panola College drama professor. She earned her bachelor’s degree from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University – Commerce), where she double-majored in drama and English literature. She worked for MGM/UA in California, starting in accounting, co-edited the studio’s newspaper, and, in 1986, was hired as the first employee of The Bedford Falls Company. As assistant to the producers, she worked on “About Last Night,” “Legends of the Fall,” and “Glory.” She also earned an Emmy Certificate for 1987 Best Drama for her work as assistant producer on “thirty-something.” She worked closely with the Academy’s Education Program, and in 1990, became a student mentor with the American Film Institute, working with graduate students on films including the award-winning “In the Name of the Father.”
In 1993, King returned to Texas and began her education career with a Dallas charter school before moving to Hillsboro High School as theatre director. She continued her education, joining the inaugural class for the University of Houston’s master’s degree program for theatre educators. She completed her Master’s in Theatre Arts in 2010.
In 2013, King joined the Panola College faculty as drama professor and director of theatre. To date, her students have won numerous awards at both the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the Texas Community College Theatre Association Play festivals. In 2016, their production of Kabuki Lady Macbeth was chosen as the showcase production for the Regional Festival, and Nikki Lawhorn was chosen as the Regional Dramaturgy winner, and was afforded a trip to the National KCACTF in Washington, D.C. For TCCTA, Panola College has brought home four Superior Play Ratings as well as over 142 awards for students and productions, including last year’s Best Director of a Play and the Sherrie White Memorial Award for Best Ensemble of a Play.
Karen King lives in Carthage with her husband Paul and her cairn terrier, William Wallace II.
August 26, 2019 - The Fillies competed in the Rose City Classic Invitational Tournament this weekend at Tyler Junior College. Panola played Temple & NCTC on Friday and Frank Phillips & #7 Polk State on Saturday. On Friday, Panola swept Temple in the season opener with a slow start, only beating Temple by two points. With the leadership of sophomore outside hitter Mikayla Ware and freshman outside hitter Mylena Testoni, who added 12 kills and two aces respectively a piece, the Fillies were able to take the last two sets with ease winning 26-24, 25-15, 25-12. Freshman setter Maria Idjilov dished out 31 assists with help from sophomore libero Hannah Floyd who contributed 12 digs.
Staying hot on Friday, Panola beat NCTC in three straight sets. The first set was another nail biter with the Fillies winning by only two points. By spreading their offense and serving aggressive, they were able to finish the Lions 25-23, 25-21, 25-7. Testoni led Panola with 12 kills, four aces, three digs and one block. Idjilov helped the Fillies with 36 assists while freshman middle blocker Ashton Brown chipped in six kills and Floyd added 11 digs.
Saturday, the Fillies continued the winning streak by sweeping Frank Phillips (25-15, 25-17, 25-21). This match was Panola’s best defensive match of the tournament with a team total of 56 digs and eight blocks. Ware led the team with 11 kills offensively, two aces and 11 digs. Sophomore outside hitter McKenzie Dimery and freshman right side hitter Nyah Walker came in and both contributed eight kills a piece. Idjilov chipped in 39 assists along with four kills and two aces.
The #7 Polk State Eagles gave Panola their first loss of the season but not without a fight. It was a close four set match with the Eagles outlasting the Fillies 23-25, 17-25, 25-14, 22-25. Panola could have given up after losing the first two sets but the Fillies fought back and pulled away early to take set three before losing the match in set four. The Fillies had a great match defensively with a total of 11 blocks. Ware chipped in 14 kills and 17 digs while Testoni added 14 kills and five block assists. The Fillies also had some major contributions from a few of their freshmen players. Erin Perez stepped in as libero, with a team high 23 digs and defensive specialist Nina Hauff, added 13 digs while Walker added eight kills and two blocks respectively.
The Fillies travel to Temple on Tuesday, September 3rd to face Temple College at 6:00 PM. Thanks for your support and GO FILLIES!
August 23, 2019 - Evan Yount of Jacksonville has attained the American Degree with the National FFA Organization, formerly Future Farmers of America. Yount graduated from Panola College with an associate degree in December 2018 and is now a junior at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
While at Panola College, Yount was a leader in the National Collegiate FFA program, worked on The Pony Express, made the Dean’s List, and received an Academic Excellence award in agriculture studies. He served as staff photographer for the Panola College Rodeo, and received an internship to work with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March 2019.
With 669,989 members and chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the National FFA Organization is the largest student led organization. The group’s mission statement in the United States is to “make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, career success through agricultural education.”
The National FFA honors members through various levels of degrees, with the American level being the highest, involving academic achievement, time spent outside of class activities, money invested in supervised agricultural experience (SAE), profit received, community service, and other activities. Only two percent of FFA members achieve the American level.
Yount will be recognized for his achievement at the National FFA Convention, October 30 through November 2 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
“My goal is to impact students’ lives, impact the consumer through proper education of the agricultural industry starting with the Texas Legislature. I plan to begin my career as a lobbyist and eventually work my way into running for the Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Texas,” Yount said.
“I owe much of this achievement to my time at Panola, where I was able to accomplish a few more steps I needed to receive this award. I would not have such opportunities or faculty to push me to this goal at most universities. I believe whole heartedly that my years at a junior college, most specifically, Panola College, made the difference of whether or not I was eligible to receive my American Degree.”
Looking for a career? Find out more about becoming a pharmacy technician.
August 22, 2019 - Panola College will offer an informative session on the pharmacy technician program. The session will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 27 in Room 414 of the W.C. Smith Building across from the main campus in Carthage.
“Local residents who might be interested in becoming a pharmacy tech should definitely come to this event,” said Laura Wood, Director, Marshall College Center. “We have grant funds that will cover the cost of the pharmacy tech tuition and fees. We also have grant funds to pay for the state exam upon course completion.”
The informational session will provide details about grant requirements, eligibility, enrollment, and mandatory class attendance.
The pharmacy technician field is expected to grow by 9 percent from 2014 to 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For more information, go to the Panola College website and search for pharmacy technician.
August 22, 2019 - Panola College Shelby College Center will offer Intermediate Yoga from September 17 until October 24. The class will meet in Room 101 from 5:15 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost of the class is $50 and pre-registration is required.
Two other fitness classes are available at the Shelby College Center -- Beginning Yoga and Zumba Gold. The fee for each class is $50 for 12 sessions, on Mondays and Wednesdays, from August 26 to October 2. The Zumba Gold class will run from 4 to 5 p.m., and Beginning Yoga class will run from 5:05 to 6:05 p.m.
Zumba Gold is a modified Zumba class with lower-intensity movements that focus on balance, range of motion, coordination, cardiovascular fitness, muscular conditioning and flexibility.
For more information, contact Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email tmccann@panola.edu.
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August 20, 2019 - The Panola College Foundation presented 24 grants totaling more than $58,000 to faculty and staff at Panola College to support various programs and initiatives. Dr. John Ray, Chair of the Panola College Foundation, announced the recipients of the 2019 faculty and staff grants in a faculty and staff meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
“We appreciate the community and the College support of the Panola College Foundation,” said Dr. Ray as he addressed the faculty and staff. “We were able to award almost $10,000 more than last year due to your support.” Dr. Ray then called the grant recipients forward to accept their award.
This year’s grant recipients include:
- A mobile device research lab for students and employees for IT Services.
- A Whirlpool table and two TheraGun massage guns for the Kinesiology department.
- 15 Wi-Fi hotspots and two router subscriptions shared between all three campuses for the M.P. Baker Library.
- Two iPads and stands for directory use at the M.P. Baker Library.
- GED practice exams to increase student retention and success in the AEL program.
- Yoga mats, blocks, resistance bands, Zumba toning sticks and DVDs for course in Shelby County.
- A museum field trip in the fall and spring for the Art and Humanities Department.
- A trip to a Dallas Symphony concert for the Choral Department.
- Five new lighting instruments for the auditorium and studio for Theatre.
- A video camera to record instrumental and vocal music performances.
- A medical lift chair for CNA courses.
- Two iPads for instructors in the EMT program.
- SIMTICS Simulation Modules for the Medical Assistant program.
- Four anatomical muscular models for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program.
- Four Littmann teaching stethoscopes for the Nursing program.
- Egg hunt prizes to increase student engagement/recruiting within Residence Life.
- Financial support for the Trailblazer Retreat, a student leadership/engagement retreat through student services.
- A satellite supply store for student course supplies in Shelby County.
- A Cosmetology Department grant for the Armstrong McCall World's Fair Trade Show.
- Various HVAC and electrical tools for the School of Energy.
- Two Cutaway Briggs and Stratton small engines for the small engines lab.
- Funding to support the cost of a truck to pull a mobile lab for the School of Energy.
Information about how to make a gift to the Panola College Foundation is available online at www.panola.edu/panola-foundation, or by calling 903-693-2029.
August 19, 2019 - Panola College/Shelby College Center is offering “Beginning Computers”. This class will teach the basics of using a computer, the internet, sending emails and other computer software. Classes will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning August 27 – September 5, from 9:30 am – 11:30 am at the Shelby College Center. The cost of the class is $50.00 and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, contact the Shelby College Center at 936-598-9543 or email: tmccann@panola.edu
August 16, 2019 - Leading the Panola College Women’s Basketball team for the 2019-2020 season will be Alex Furr, the 2018 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year. Furr, an East Texas native, has spent the past four years at New Mexico Junior College, working as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
A 2010 graduate of Athens High School, Furr earned her bachelor of science degree from Fresno State University in Fresno, Calif., in 2014, and her master of science in sports psychology from Fresno State in 2016.
During her time at Fresno State, Furr played for three head coaches, earning the coveted Iron Bulldog Award for the Fresno State Strength and Conditioning Program. She also won the Paul Schechter Courage Award, presented annually to student-athletes who have overcome a physical challenge to become a champion. While at Fresno State, she earned a spot in the Top 10 All-Time in “three pointers made” and “career free throws percentage.”
Furr comes to Panola from New Mexico Junior College where she worked with the #1 Pre-Season NCJAA team in the nation. The team had the best finish in school history, as national runner up to the NJCAA tournament.
While playing at Athens High School, Furr was named the 2010 Texas Association of Basketball Coaches “Miss Texas” award, earned all-state recognition three years in a row, recorded 3.169 career points, made 337 total three-pointers, averaged 36 PPG as a senior player; averaged 25.7 PPG over her career; scored more than 40 points in 29 games, scored more than 50 points four times, and had a career high of 54 points in one game.
At New Mexico Junior College, Furr adjusted her approach from player to coach, sharing her knowledge and experience with her players. “There is no doubt in my mind that I have found what I have been waiting for,” she said, when discussing her decision to take on the head coaching position at Panola College.
Don Clinton, Athletic Director and Vice President of Student Services, said he is excited to have Coach Furr join the Panola College coaching staff.
“She has an incredible basketball pedigree with her dad being a highly successful JUCO coach at TVCC,” Clinton said. “She has grown up in the gym and has excelled as a player and a young coach. She has been deemed as one of the rising coaching stars in the country and was voted assistant coach of the year. She has only been coaching three years in college and has been around success continuously. We are excited for the energy and all of what she will bring to the program.”
August 16, 2019 - Panola College recognizes it can be hard to make it to our offices before we close at 5 pm, so we are staying open late just for you! On Monday, August 19th, our offices at the Shelby Regional Training Center in Center will be open until 7 pm to help get you ready for the fall semester. Stop by to receive advising, register, or talk about financial aid options before the semester begins on Wednesday, August 21st. The main campus in Carthage will also be open until 7 pm on Monday.
August 15, 2019 - Panola College announces their new employess for the fall semester.
From left: (Back Row) Jeff Jones, Police Chief; Jo Lynn Field, Success Coordinator, Associate Degree Nursing; Chris Collins, Professor of English/Preparatory Studies; Nicole Thorn, Head Coach - Women's Volleyball/Instructor of Kinesiology; Grant Freels, Assistant Coach - Men's Baseball; Aaron Smith, Head Coach - Men's Basketball / Professor of Kinesiology; Dr. Anthony Edwards, Professor of Biology; Brad Adkins, Instructor of Welding; and G. Todd Shelton, Assistant Coach - Men's Basketball (Front Row) Brooke Works, Receptionist/Secretary - Marshall College Center; Kristy Parker, Instructor of Medical Assisting; Rocky Hayden, Maintenance Worker; Texas Reardon, Educational Technology Coordinator & Webmaster; Carol Brightwell, Accounts Payable Specialist; Macy Cherry, Assistant Coach - Women's Volleyball; Whitney Sienko, Professor of Accounting; Haylie Amison, Professor of Humanities/English; and Rebecca Morris, Professor of Education.
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